Hope flows from the brave actions of those who are doers of God’s Word. It starts with the decision to live not on the basis of what we see we can’t do, but on what God said He would do.
No matter how dark or desperate the situation, we can always have hope because we have God. The hope that flows from God’s presence is powerful – strong enough to bring us through anything.
Life with the Holy Spirit enables us to apply His wisdom and power in the everyday realities of this world. Let’s respond to His invitation to drink deeply from the living water He offers.
As we celebrate the anointing of the Holy Spirit that sets us free, we should also embrace the purpose of the anointing to bring the same freedom to others through us.
When we contemplate the Cross, it gives us reason to celebrate God’s amazing grace – His love, kindness and forgiveness made available through Christ’s death at no cost to us.
When we look at the empty tomb we know that Jesus has risen and is enthroned in heaven. The same amazing power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in us. He calls us to arise with Him and live victoriously!
No matter how dark or desperate the situation, we can always have hope because we have God. The hope that flows from God’s presence is powerful – strong enough to bring us through anything.
Life with the Holy Spirit enables us to apply His wisdom and power in the everyday realities of this world. Let’s respond to His invitation to drink deeply from the living water He offers.
As we celebrate the anointing of the Holy Spirit that sets us free, we should also embrace the purpose of the anointing to bring the same freedom to others through us.
When we contemplate the Cross, it gives us reason to celebrate God’s amazing grace – His love, kindness and forgiveness made available through Christ’s death at no cost to us.
When we look at the empty tomb we know that Jesus has risen and is enthroned in heaven. The same amazing power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in us. He calls us to arise with Him and live victoriously!
Jesus lived a life of compassion. If we would like to do the same, we will need to learn how to see as He sees, love as He does and treat others as He would.
Real and effective change is activated through God-given authority. Jesus is our example in this and the Father crowned Him with the highest authority.
The promise of the Holy Spirit is a gift for all who believe. It is the promise of a Person coming to be in us and with us, bringing with Him all His power and ability for our benefit and making us effective in accomplishing what God wants us to do.
Whether you have been filled with the Holy Spirit before or need His supernatural power for the challenges and opportunities you face today, ask Him for a fresh infilling!
Taking ownership of our inheritance in Christ gives us reason to celebrate! This message will encourage you to take possession of all that God has promised you so that your joy may be full.
Storms are part of life and can leave us with a sense of hopelessness. God speaks into such situations to assure us that He knows how great our need for hope is and that He will supply it!
God is the source of hope, and transferring His hope is dependent on human vessels. Build a hope factory with God and be a source of hope to others as you overflow with His power!
The document discusses the importance of listening to and hearing the Holy Spirit. It notes that the Holy Spirit will guide believers into all truth and tell them what is to come. It also states that listening to the Holy Spirit forms the foundation for answered prayer and produces life. The document encourages being still to recognize God's voice and having the right environment, mentors, heart, and anticipation to hear from Him.
1) The document discusses the history and significance of communion and the Lord's Supper in the Bible and early church.
2) It describes how Jesus established the tradition of the Last Supper and its symbolism of bread and wine representing his body and blood.
3) It summarizes Paul's teachings to the Corinthians about properly discerning and partaking in communion as a unified community, rather than exacerbating divisions, to avoid bringing judgment on themselves.
Even though we know prayer is vital, it’s not always the easiest habit to maintain. Jesus’ teaching on prayer is recorded in Scripture, so let’s look at His instructions and grow in this area.
This document encourages believers to pray bold, ambitious prayers that are worthy of God's power and glory. It notes that God calls us to ask Him for "great and mighty things" we don't even know, and cites examples from the Bible of individuals like Jabez who asked God for big blessings. The document suggests praying for inheritance over nations and possession of the earth, and notes that the early church prayed earnestly for Peter's release from prison. The overall message is that Christians should pray God-sized prayers that reflect our faith in a BIG God who can do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think.
God loved the world so much that he sent his one and only Son, Jesus, so that all who believe in him will not perish but have eternal life. God did not send his Son to condemn the world but to save it, so that through believing in Jesus, one can have eternal life and be put right with God. The Bible warns that those who touch Israel, whom God calls the apple of his eye, will face His judgment and wrath.
John was one of Jesus's inner circle who was with him from the beginning. He took care of Mary after Jesus's death and authored the Gospel of John and the book of Revelation. As an elder in the church at Ephesus, John was exiled to the island of Patmos where he received a revelation from Jesus about what must soon take place.
The document discusses the fear of the Lord and what it means to live in the fear of the Lord. It explains that the fear of the Lord is living in awe, respect, and honor towards God, putting Him first in life. It outlines three things about living in the fear of the Lord: having the right attitude of listening to God and treasuring His commands, taking the right actions of obeying God and walking with integrity, and receiving rewards like joy, wisdom, and avoidance of evil.
This document discusses building a strong family through wisdom, knowledge, and focusing on fear of the Lord, love, and peace. It notes that righteous families will be blessed and children should be taught God's words from youth. It outlines five phases of parenting from infant to caring for adult children and emphasizes disciplining children with love to bring peace and joy. Parents are advised to have clear rules without rebellion, choose battles wisely, and admit mistakes while setting expectations to help children fulfill their purpose.
Jesus lived a life of compassion. If we would like to do the same, we will need to learn how to see as He sees, love as He does and treat others as He would.
Real and effective change is activated through God-given authority. Jesus is our example in this and the Father crowned Him with the highest authority.
The promise of the Holy Spirit is a gift for all who believe. It is the promise of a Person coming to be in us and with us, bringing with Him all His power and ability for our benefit and making us effective in accomplishing what God wants us to do.
Whether you have been filled with the Holy Spirit before or need His supernatural power for the challenges and opportunities you face today, ask Him for a fresh infilling!
Taking ownership of our inheritance in Christ gives us reason to celebrate! This message will encourage you to take possession of all that God has promised you so that your joy may be full.
Storms are part of life and can leave us with a sense of hopelessness. God speaks into such situations to assure us that He knows how great our need for hope is and that He will supply it!
God is the source of hope, and transferring His hope is dependent on human vessels. Build a hope factory with God and be a source of hope to others as you overflow with His power!
The document discusses the importance of listening to and hearing the Holy Spirit. It notes that the Holy Spirit will guide believers into all truth and tell them what is to come. It also states that listening to the Holy Spirit forms the foundation for answered prayer and produces life. The document encourages being still to recognize God's voice and having the right environment, mentors, heart, and anticipation to hear from Him.
1) The document discusses the history and significance of communion and the Lord's Supper in the Bible and early church.
2) It describes how Jesus established the tradition of the Last Supper and its symbolism of bread and wine representing his body and blood.
3) It summarizes Paul's teachings to the Corinthians about properly discerning and partaking in communion as a unified community, rather than exacerbating divisions, to avoid bringing judgment on themselves.
Even though we know prayer is vital, it’s not always the easiest habit to maintain. Jesus’ teaching on prayer is recorded in Scripture, so let’s look at His instructions and grow in this area.
This document encourages believers to pray bold, ambitious prayers that are worthy of God's power and glory. It notes that God calls us to ask Him for "great and mighty things" we don't even know, and cites examples from the Bible of individuals like Jabez who asked God for big blessings. The document suggests praying for inheritance over nations and possession of the earth, and notes that the early church prayed earnestly for Peter's release from prison. The overall message is that Christians should pray God-sized prayers that reflect our faith in a BIG God who can do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think.
God loved the world so much that he sent his one and only Son, Jesus, so that all who believe in him will not perish but have eternal life. God did not send his Son to condemn the world but to save it, so that through believing in Jesus, one can have eternal life and be put right with God. The Bible warns that those who touch Israel, whom God calls the apple of his eye, will face His judgment and wrath.
John was one of Jesus's inner circle who was with him from the beginning. He took care of Mary after Jesus's death and authored the Gospel of John and the book of Revelation. As an elder in the church at Ephesus, John was exiled to the island of Patmos where he received a revelation from Jesus about what must soon take place.
The document discusses the fear of the Lord and what it means to live in the fear of the Lord. It explains that the fear of the Lord is living in awe, respect, and honor towards God, putting Him first in life. It outlines three things about living in the fear of the Lord: having the right attitude of listening to God and treasuring His commands, taking the right actions of obeying God and walking with integrity, and receiving rewards like joy, wisdom, and avoidance of evil.
This document discusses building a strong family through wisdom, knowledge, and focusing on fear of the Lord, love, and peace. It notes that righteous families will be blessed and children should be taught God's words from youth. It outlines five phases of parenting from infant to caring for adult children and emphasizes disciplining children with love to bring peace and joy. Parents are advised to have clear rules without rebellion, choose battles wisely, and admit mistakes while setting expectations to help children fulfill their purpose.
This document discusses the importance of family according to passages from Proverbs. It notes that wisdom builds a strong house and family, while trouble within the family inherits trouble. It is better to have little with peace than great wealth with turmoil. A meal with loved ones is better than a feast with those you hate. Righteousness blesses one's children. Disciplining children brings peace of mind. Training children in the right way leads them not to depart from it when older.
This document discusses two Bible verses about God's love for the world and his plan for salvation. John 3:16 describes how God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, Jesus, so that all who believe in him will have eternal life rather than perish. John 12:27-28 recounts Jesus expressing troubled feelings about his coming crucifixion but submitting to God's will, and a voice from heaven affirming that God will be glorified through this event.
This document contains excerpts from the Bible discussing faith and the future. Hebrews 13 encourages having faith in God rather than fearing people. Hebrews 12 says to run the race of life with endurance, fixing eyes on Jesus. James 4 warns that people should not presume what tomorrow will bring and instead say "if the Lord wills." Revelation 21 describes God making all things new and wiping away tears in heaven. Philippians 3 says to forget the past and press on toward perfection through Christ.
This document summarizes key points from 2 Peter 1:1-11 about responding to God's promises. It discusses how:
God has given us everything we need through His power to live godly lives and receive great promises. These promises allow us to share in God's divine nature. We are called to make every effort to respond to God's promises through faith and growing in excellence, knowledge, self-control, godliness, love and more. Responding to God's promises leads to hope, growth, and being chosen for God's eternal kingdom.
The document discusses the results of a study on the effects of exercise on memory and thinking abilities in older adults. The study found that regular exercise can help reduce the decline in thinking abilities that often occurs with age. Older adults who exercised regularly performed better on cognitive tests and brain scans showed they had greater activity in important areas for memory and learning compared to less active peers.
The document discusses biblical wisdom from Proverbs regarding handling money. It notes that God owns everything and gives people the ability to earn wealth. It advises planning, being patient in the money process, and following principles like honoring God, being generous, and avoiding deceitful ways of obtaining money. The main points are to plan financially, be patient in the process of earning and achieving money goals, and follow biblical principles for responsible money management.
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewi...Hatfield Christian Church
This document discusses the ideas of strength and honour. Strength refers to personal qualities while honour refers to respect in battle. It provides biblical sources that discuss drawing strength from God, his word, and remaining in him. It notes examples from the Bible where people were not alone even in difficult times and encourages remembering that God loves us. It concludes by discussing showing honour to others.
The document discusses authority in God's kingdom and how Christians should respond to authority. It notes that authority was God's idea and should be exercised as a servant who will give an account. Believers should live under authority prayerfully, obediently, and with a respectful heart. At home, children should honor their parents, and beyond home, how one exercises and responds to authority is part of their Christian testimony and obedience to God.
‘Towers’, ‘tragedy’ and even ‘terrorism’ are often words used to describe relationships between different nations and people groups. Is it really possible for diverse people to live together in unity?
The document discusses how words originate from the heart and can have powerful effects. It notes that words guided by wisdom promote life but uncontrolled words can spread evil like fire. While the tongue is small, it can steer one's life and corrupt the whole body. Words have the power to praise God and curse people, so we must be careful. Ultimately, words spoken in truth and moderation can bring healing and life to communities.
Are you a good communicator? Are you able to put into words what is in your heart and able to understand what others are saying? Let’s see if the book of Proverbs can help us improve our communication.
20. II aamm wwiitthh yyoouu mmiigghhttyy wwaarrrriioorr!!
JJUUDDGGEESS 66::1122
Editor's Notes
Theme:Stories of hope
Preacher:Pastor Francois van Niekerk
Date:12 October 2014
Sermon: Brave hope
Text: Romans 4:18 (MSG)
‘When everything was hopeless, Abraham believed anyway, deciding to live not on the basis of what he saw he couldn’t do but on what God said he would do.’ (Emphasis added)
Introduction
I love stories of hope, especially if they are true, real life stories!
I want to share such a story, where brave action gave people hope and saved lives. The main character in this story is a Labrador guide dog named Roselle.
On 11 September 2001, disaster and terror struck America. A series of terrorist attacks left the USA in shock. As part of these terror attacks, two Boeing aircrafts were hi-jacked and crashed into the well known Twin Towers (office blocks of 110 stories each). This is how Roselle’s story of brave hope unfolded on that day:
Roselle was asleep under her owner’s desk on the 78th floor in Tower 1 of the World Trade Centre when the attack commenced.
She was awoken by the plane impacting some fifteen floors above them.
Roselle calmly led her blind owner, Michael Hingson, to stairwell B …
… despite the smoke, confusion and noise surrounding her. She led her owner and 30 other people down 1 463 steps out of the tower. After descending over half the distance, they passed some firemen who were heading up, who Roselle stopped to greet. The descent took just over an hour. Just after they exited the tower, Tower 2 collapsed, sending debris flying. Hingson later said, ‘While everyone ran in panic, Roselle remained totally focused on her job, while debris fell around us, and even hit us, Roselle stayed calm.’ Once clear, Roselle led her owner to the safety of a subway station, where they helped a woman who had been blinded by falling debris. Once they arrived home, Roselle immediately began playing with her retired guide dog predecessor, Linnie, as if nothing important had happened.
Roselle was awarded the American Hero Dog of the Year Medal in 2011. From then on she was nicknamed Thunder Dog.
Even though this brave hero is a dog, I trust you will be inspired to be brave in God and allow Him to use you to write stories of hope on the pages of other people’s lives!
Main points
Brave? Who’s brave?
Being brave is not always characterised by a lack of fear. Many scared people have gone on to take brave actions that brought deliverance from despair and hope to others.
Just think of Gideon, one of the judges of Israel in the Old Testament. He was hiding in fear from the Midianites, who were oppressing them at the time (Judges 6-7).
Gideon was not standing in faith and courage when God started speaking to Him about becoming the deliverer of Israel. His doubt and lack of courage are reflected in the many questions and excuses he posed to the Angel as well as his need for signs and confirmation. Yet, God continued, with great patience, to deal with him and encourage him until he was ready to step out and bravely act on God’s Word and restore hope to Israel. Surely God will do the same for you and me!
Your present emotional state of mind may be one of fear or uncertainty but that is no indicator of your potential for bravery. Hear the Lord speak these words to your heart, ‘Be bold, be strong for the Lord your God is with you!’
The Word of the Lord and the reality of His presence will give you the spark you need to be brave. It will give you the means to be steady under pressure, just like Thunder Dog. That’s the true definition of bravery – to be calm and steady under pressure, remaining focused on what God has said for you to do.
Let’s look at Abraham, the father of our faith, who showed great courage and bravery resulting in hope.
2. Abraham the Brave
Abraham showed himself brave by daring to believe when there was no hope. (Genesis records the story of Abraham and Sarah who had no children at an old age and of God’s promise of descendants.)
‘When everything was hopeless, Abraham believed anyway, deciding to live not on the basis of what he saw he couldn’t do but on what God said he would do.’ (Emphasis added)
Romans 4:18 (MSG)
He further displayed bravery by his obedience to God’s instruction to sacrifice Isaac, his son of promise (Genesis 22).
Obedience to God is an act of bravery. He honours obedience and rewards it, allowing it to be the catalyst of hope for desperate people around us!
3. Lessons of hope from Abraham
We can learn the following valuable lessons from the father of our faith:
Hope from God is never dependent on reason.
Hope from God is not dependent on our ability to perform, but rather on God’s limitless ability.
Hope is the springboard of faith. Hope from God provides the backdrop for faith to function. Hope provides the basis for faith to operate.
Hopeless situations offer great opportunities for us to be brave and bring hope by our example. Remember hope never introduces itself as hope – it simply flows from the actions of people who follow God (doers of His Word).
Brave hope does not have to shout. It goes quietly about its business – quiet but strong; remaining fully convinced of God’s ability.
4. Brave you!
Every believer can be brave. Your steady stand under pressure, while focusing on God, can also lead others to hope and safety.
Bravery happens when we move the focus off ourselves to God, and is how He wants to use us in giving hope to others.
The first brave thing you can do is to ask yourself, ‘Is it all about me in my life?’ The second act of bravery is to move the focus from yourself to God, and to make the commitment, ‘Lord, whatever You say I will do!’
Brave actions are released when we, like Abraham …
… decide to live not on the basis of what we see we can’t do, but on what God said He would do.
Application
Author Norman Vincent Peale did a radical thing. He changed the saying ‘Where there is life there is hope’ to ‘Where there is hope there is life.’ Why did he do this? Because, as he put it, ‘You’re never beaten down as long as you have hope.’
I encourage you to be brave! Follow Abraham’s example in your readiness to obey God and give whatever He asks you to during this Faith Promise season.
Your bravery can start now. God will inspire you to be brave and write a story of hope through your actions and example.
In the same way God spoke to Gideon in Judges 6:12, I believe He is saying to you, ‘I am with you mighty warrior! Go from this place to bring hope that there may be life.’
Prayer
Lord, I receive Your Word and welcome Your presence in my life today! With Your encouragement, I bravely step out to do what You say. Thank you, that my actions will bring hope and life to others. Amen.